McMillan: Dolson gets better of old rival Coffey

Sunday

Jan 20, 2013 at 2:00 AMJan 20, 2013 at 5:03 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. — There was a moment right before the start of Saturday's Big East basketball showdown when Stefanie Dolson paused so she could appreciate something she never could have imagined only six or seven years ago.

Ken McMillan

HARTFORD, Conn. — There was a moment right before the start of Saturday's Big East basketball showdown when Stefanie Dolson paused so she could appreciate something she never could have imagined only six or seven years ago.

The XL Center was filled to the rafters, teeming with excitement and intense state pride. A rhythmic clapping began gained momentum as more than 14,000 fans stood as one cheering on the Connecticut women.

"I was in the circle, ready to jump,'' said Dolson, UConn's burgeoning center. "I looked around, and it was packed, and I smiled.''

It certainly doesn't get much better than playing high-level Division I basketball before a packed house and a television game to boot. Dolson has learned to appreciate these perks, something her former high school teammates, and most every Section 9 player never will know, save for one.

Dressed in road blues with orange trim, Rachel Coffey bounded off the Syracuse bench a little more than three minutes into the game and waited anxiously for the next stoppage in play. It wasn't long before Coffey was matched up with the much-taller Dolson on some full-court pressure sets, and you could not help but harken back to their celebrated showdowns in a row of sectional finals.

Coffey's Kingston team may have got the best of Dolson's Minisink Valley squad in high school but the tides have turned in the college ranks. UConn continues to be a dominant power in women's basketball, and Dolson has emerged as one of the top centers in the college game. Syracuse has been on the rise, earning a Women's National Invitation Tournament berth last season and storming out to a 15-1 start with a national ranking in the coaches' poll as Coffey battles for valued point guard minutes as a top reserve for the Orange.

Dolson and Coffey remain casual friends and they enjoy playing against one another, but both players have moved on in their lives so Saturday's showdown didn't take on any added meaning.

"It reminds me of high school a little bit,'' Coffey said, "but it's different jerseys and a different setting. It's different, obviously, because we have grown up now.''

"It's kind of just another day,'' Dolson said. "We're from the same (area). It's great to know that two girls came out of the same area, going to the schools that they wanted to. It's cool to play against her once in a while.''

Over and over again it seemed every time Coffey would make a decent play, with a great pass or hitting an open three-pointer, Dolson was quick to respond on the other end with a hustle play or a bucket. Coffey's final stat line — 10 points, four assists, three steals in 21 minutes — was a nice contribution, but it was Dolson who practically stole the show with a career-high 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals in 35 minutes.

In the end, Connecticut had too much firepower in an 87-62 victory, proving Syracuse is not quite ready for the elite of the Big East just yet.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma said Dolson has come a long way in her three seasons, and reaching the 1,000 career points milestone in the first half is a product of the hard work she has put in to her game. The home fans appreciate the effort as well, celebrating Dolson with a standing ovation as she left the game with two minutes to play.

"It is something I will never forget, for sure,'' she said.

When it was all over, the two old rivals shared a brief hello, an extra pat on the back and wished each other well. With Syracuse making the move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season, this may very well be the last showdown between Dolson and Coffey, with the final chapter of their story played before a huge crowd worthy of their talents.

"I think some players can get complacent with coming out every night and just playing a basketball game,'' Dolson said. "Every time I come out here for home games, I kind of look around and see the crowd. It's an awesome feeling.''